TheSortingHouse, Author at The Sorting House

Lolita: Reading ‘Lolita’ in France

Lecture time for 'Lolita: Reading Lolita in France' is approx. 7-10 minutes. If you prefer to listen to me reading this article, find the audio for 'Lolita: Reading Lolita in France' using the search tool in The Sorting House group on Telegram. * Correction: Nabokov published Lolita in 1955, not 1954.

Lolita

A little backstory; I’ve been consuming one of the random publications that I found amongst a pile of English language books once gifted and subsequently living in my house. It’s called ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’ by Azar Nifisi. Apparently, a NY Times bestseller, I know not of the author, the acclaimed book or the subjects within and it certainly wasn’t my first choice. After smashing through the most visually appealing of this freebie bunch, I was left with the stragglers that I had to decide between by actually studying the blurbs on the back. Yes, initially I heavily judged these books by their covers. Come on, even if we technically shouldn’t, who actually doesn’t?

After some years of reading almost exclusively in French, the ease of reading again in my mother tongue always delights, especially compared to the clunkiness of my comprehension en Français. As an aside, you may or may not have noticed there is a new tab up on the Menu bar of this website named ‘Resources’. I mention it because I’ve decided to start listing the books available in English (as well as podcasts, playlists, artists etc.) that I enjoy, in no particular order, so that other anglophones looking for inspiration might peruse them, and maybe even enjoy them too. AND, if feeling particularly bold, might even wish to discuss with me further, on The Sorting House telegram group or IRL.

Anyway, upon greedily consuming the most appealing of these few books that had by way of “coincidence” found themselves in my library amongst a sea of many read, half-read and unread French and English language titles. There I was, floating in a ferocious desire to continue digesting these new, second-hand books written in a language I feel most comfortable in, I finally decided to start ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’ by Azar Nifisi. The issue being that it’s a biographical book by an English literature professor, and it discusses many great works – many of which I haven’t actually read. Hmm, turns out this choice was not so comfortable after all.

Time to Get Ugly │ Fertile Resistance

When the means of subsisting correctly have slipped into the hands of psychopaths, there must be fertile resistance from those that wish to keep living outside of this assault.

For time this need for fertile resistance has been established and evident for all who search and ponder.

If there is any doubt about the need for fertile resistance outside of these mega-systems on your part then please move along, get the pricks and the chips. Do as you are told without further a do OR devote yourself now to learning something new.

Healthcare Workers Still Un-Cack-Scene-Hated

Reading time for 'Healthcare Workers Still Un-Cack-Scene-Hated' is approx. 10-16 minutes. Search for the audio in The Sorting House group on Telegram.

Recently I learned that many countries have reintegrated the excluded healthcare workers.

For my own peace the past few years I have sought to learn and say less about our most recent “health crisis”. However, given how close this hits home, I just can’t keep it shut anymore.

Most healthcare workers gave their all in a provoked climate of fear. Yet the nations saw fit to accolade them by tapping on pans, whilst their unscrupulous colleagues racked in the likes for bravely dancing on the front lines of social media.

Admittedly, healthcare workers have been pushed to the limits of what’s generally considered reasonable in our so-called civilised societies for as long as the industry has existed. Can we cut them some slack for letting off steam in this way? I’m not so sure.

Recipe: Creamy Polenta and Baked Polenta “Fries” aka Chips

Jump to Easy Polenta – Creamy Polenta – Baked Polenta Chips Recipe.

Easy Creamy Polenta turned baked Polenta “fries” with the leftovers – adaptable for whatever the occasion and dietary requirements – can be made Vegetarian, Vegan or Flexi.

Saucy aubergines, baked Polenta chips and garden-fresh salad.

By popular demand after posting this photo of a recent lunch to my Instagram Story. Behold two recipes in one, or one recipe for two meals should I say?

Whatever your dietary preferences, always choose the highest quality ingredients because you deserve it. To quote an old friend, “Money spent on good food is never money wasted.”

By no means an expert, keep reading to get my tips and take on it or Jump to Easy Polenta – Creamy Polenta – Baked Polenta Chips Recipe.

What is creamy polenta?

Creamy Polenta is a north Italian dish made of ground cornmeal not dissimilar to the Grits of the southern USA.

Polenta purists would chase me right out of town for even considering the “instant” Polenta version I’m sure. Don’t worry, if you are opting for Organic as standard then it isn’t genetically modified Frankenfood. Instant or quick cook Polenta is simply Italian cornmeal that is more finely ground and therefore cooks very quickly (approx. 5 mins) compared to the long cook (approx. 40 mins) of the coarse version.

I tend not to try and make life more complicated than it needs to be. At least not when it comes to cooking Polenta dishes. Given the state of our food industries and the world at large, I cook to control the ingredients and quality of food that I eat, not to spend endless hours in the kitchen. Plus Polenta in all of its varieties really isn’t my fave thing to eat. I suppose a Polenta purist might argue that is because I opt for the easy quick-cook version. Personally, I would live off a combination of potato dishes and pizza if there were no repercussions but nutritional variety is key to health and maybe even the spice of life, as they say.

Foraging and Frolicking

Foraging wild plants for food, medicinal or cosmetic purposes is one of the many ways of developing a meaningful connection to our earth.

The earth we all depend on as earth beings and that makes our lives possible to begin with!

Oft forgotten, minimised or shunned, this ancestral, vital, unsynthesized, natural connection is sadly overlooked by many these days, yet is likely to be the missing part of the puzzle that helps harmonise all the woes we face.

Is Astrology Wrong?

For some people, even just a whiff of discussion regarding anything to do with astrology will be enough to have their eyes rolling back in dismissal. Some of us may be indifferent either way. Whilst others ignorantly adhere to an astrology system, consult astrologers, and consume astrology apps or astrology sites with religious regularity.

Extract of ‘*Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds*‘ (1686) Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle.
A treatise contributing to the journey away from astrology towards science and astronomy; featuring Copernican heliocentrism and Descartes’ conception of mechanical physics.

Given what I’ve observed over the last few years, I think even if most know their alleged Sun Sign, they would still scoff at anyone seriously entertaining such “pseudoscientific” practices like astrology these days. After all, most “trust the science” and the science of today marks a distinct split in what was once a unified field of study. Yep, I’m referencing that gaping chasm that has been increasingly separating astronomy from astrology.

Those with an interest in Astro history or observing the night sky will be smirking now, “duh, obviously!” For the rest that may be thinking, “huh?” Let’s break it down, shall we?

Many sympathisers of astrology don’t realise that what’s discussed within an astrological framework concerning the positions of planets and heavenly happenings is built on illusory fabrications. Astrology speaks of planetary placements that don’t align with anything that’s physically observable. Not with our given senses, not in the sky, nor an astronomical framework.

Born in the Wrong Body

Our body is the ONLY body we have.

How can we be born in the wrong body?

We were born into physical awareness with only this body.

I’m of the opinion then, that it’s IMPOSSIBLE for us ever to find ourselves living in the “wrong” body. To suggest or enable this amongst us is pure madness.

Yet Still She Calls Us

When spending time with Nature, looking at all her forms and expressions, we realise that she is beautiful because she is alive.

Even in terrible harshness, sharp and scarring, barren and bare. Even in death she breathes and allows the current of life to linger and flow. Inspired, we could accomplish so much from that impulsion to grow (undoubtedly provided this be natural and not synthetically provoked).

Yet synthetically provoked, favoured in this modern man’s world, most of it is already dead anyway. Plugged in yet disconnected. Another intelligence, unnatural, artificial.

Growth Takes Root in the Dark

Growth takes root in the Dark.

After, there must be warmth.

Light.

Hydration.

Information.

AKA the correct nourishment.

If these things are not present in unrefined abundance then the natural expression of life will falter, the quality of experience will degrade, the organic vessel that permits it will cease to function at full capacity and reliance on synthetics will become the most convenient…

Appearance Based Value

Why is value often based on appearance rather than values these days?

For too long, I was under the illusion that I had to conform in so many spheres just to have the right to even exist.

Thanks to the experiences I’d had in life, I often categorised and judged the value I could bring based on my appearance and capacity to assimilate the latest trends and ideals. Thus considered through the lens of a twisted, ever-changing synthetic beauty and fashion industry rather than anything based on wholesome, natural truth.